Sukhbir gives final touches to Ludhiana metro project report

Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday gave final touches to the project report of Rs 9,840-crore Ludhiana metro, so that it could be submitted to the Union government for final approval.

Badal also approved the proposed metro's alignment from Aayali Chowk to BBMB (corridor-1) Power Chowk, which would be 15.76 km long, out of which 12.15 km would be elevated and 3.61 km under ground.

The metro would have 11 elevated and three underground stations. Similarly, the alignment for corridor-2 from Gill village to Rahon road was also finalised, which would be 13.62 km long that includes 4.88 km elevated track and 8.74 0 under ground.

The deputy CM directed that there should be minimum displacement of people due to the metro project and officials overseeing the project could prefer underground tracks instead of displacing people through elevated metro lines, even if it raised the project cost.

It was decided in the meeting that 11.70 acres of land would be required for alignment, station and receiving substation in corridor-1 and 19.05 acre for corridor-2.

The land requirement would be 65 acres for Baddowal depot and 52 acres for Gill village depot.

Badal issued directions for time-bound completion of this project.

Ludhiana metro would be covered under Delhi Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002 and other legal provisions controlling the Delhi metro.